Refrigerating shipping container for frozen foods



March 17, 1953 D. L. FEIGENBAUM REFRIGERATING SHIPPING CONTAINER FORFROZEN FOODS Filed Jan. 28, 1950 2-SHEETSSHEET l m m% 1 M y W "7 m a 5 F5 5 L 1 4 W a a n w ,5 2 1 A n \M M g w z, 2 w "m w a A 0 m w 2 m 5 5 wF w n J 4 T 5 M. .2 i w w in F L 5,

March 17, 1953] D, FEIGENBAUM 2,631,439

REFRIGERATING SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR FROZEN FOODS INVENTOR preparationschedules.

Patented Mar. 17, 1953 7.

UNITED VASTATESU PATENT OFFICE:

REFRIGERATING SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR FROZEN FOODS David L. Feigenbaum,Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Little America Frozen Foods, Inc.,Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 28,1950, Serial No. 141,008

Claims. (01. 62-915) This invention relates to a refrigerating shippingcontainer especially useful for the shipment of perishable frozen foods.relates to such a container having superior shipping and refrigerationqualities. time, thecontainer maybe made from relatively inexpensivematerials.

More particularly, it

At the same Prior devices used for the shipment" and reffrigeration-ofperishable. food products have usually-provided acentral 0r envelopingrefrigerant ,containing zone relative to the food containing I, space.

I A central refrigerant containing zone is open to the objection thatuniform refrigeration isdifficult to obtain by such means and theperipherally located food in the device tended to 1 be difficult to keepat temperatures below those deleterious to the particular product. Inthe case of some foods, such as ice cream, there is a narrow range whichis relatively critical and in which if the temperature should exceed theproper presersuch prior devices, is relatively expensive and theusual-rule-of-thumb usage thereof in excessive amounts to insureavoidance of deterioration represents aneconomic loss of consequence.Further, the substantial enveloping of food products with a refrigerantcommonly makes the product so hard that the thawing thereof takesappreciable time and can disrupt cooking and food In addition, suchprior devices are frequently made of expensive container materials or ofexpensive construction to withstand hard usage during transportation andpossible damage.

In the container of this invention using a solid refrigerant, such assolid carbon dioxide, inexpensive and lightweight container materialscan be employed and assembled in an inexpensive manner. At the sametime, the perishable food preferably in separate containers rather thanin bulk is enabled to occupy a relatively larger prostructure is 80positioned that it does not substantially envelope the food to bepreserved and 2 at the same time achieves uniform cooling withoutrequiring excessive amounts of the refrigerant. Moreover, the containerof this invention has some flexibility in relation to the volume of foodto be shipped in any particular size of container and the parts thereofare fitted to an extent which obtains effective and efficientrefrigeration during use. The closure structure of the container is suchalso that it can withstand all ordinary and even extraordinary shocksand blows during shipment without ceasing to be an effectiverefrigerating shipping container which may be reused. At the same time,the shipping container of this invention resists any damaging movementof gas or air out of the container or of air into the container duringshipment, thereby obtaining efiicient sealing. Moreover, by correlationof the pertinent factors involved in such shipments, the refrigerationeffective in the new shipping container of this invention can be relavtively closely regulated, thereby avoiding wastage of refrigerant. 7

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and the drawings, which are illustrative only, in

which:

Figure 1 is a View in front elevation of a container made in accordancewith this invention which is packed and ready for shipment;

Figure 2 is a top view of the container shown in Figure l; I a

Figure 3 is a view in cross section of the same container taken alongline III--III of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a layout View of the corrugated paper' board blank used tomake the top part of the container shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a layout view of the corrugated paper board blank used tomake the bottom or lower part of the container shown in Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a layout view of the corrugated paper board blank used as arefrigerant containing tray in the container shown in Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a view in elevation and cross section of the tray in Figure6 in assembled form;

Figure 8 is a view in front elevation of a corner piece used in the newcontainer structure of this invention; I

Figure 9 is a view in side elevation of the piece shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a view in front elevation of a modified container made inaccordance with'thisinvention which is packed and ready for exportshipment; 1

Figure 11 is a view in cross section of corner the conand the fiaps If.

necessary overlap for stapling or adhesive fasten-1 3 tainer shown. inFigure 10 taken parallel to the plane of the drawing of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a plan view of the pallet used in the container assembly ofFigure 10; and

Figure 13 is a view in cross section of the pallet shown in Figure 12taken along line XIIIXIII of Figure 12.

The container assembly IQ of this invention comprises an inner or lowertelescoping part II and an outer or upper telescoping part !2. Parts Hand I2 slidably fit together in a telescoping arrangement and togetherform a complete enclosure in the form of a fibre box or corrugated paperboard container. The height of the two parts I I and I2 is substantiallythe same so as to provide around the interior space I3 thereof a doublethickness of the relatively inexpensive fibrous material from which theenclosure in theassembly I0 is made. The blank for top part I2 isillustrated in Figure 4 in layout fashion. This blank is suitably scoredalong the line is and 5 to provide respectively the vertical panels It Aside fiap i8 provides the ing along, the opposed edge l9 when the blankis assembled into the part i2 and the flaps I'i folded over to completethe top part of the telescoping enclosure. Similarly, the lower part IIis scored at 2!] and 2'! to form the vertical panels 22 and the flaps 28and 24. The vertical panels 22 are substantially the same height aspanels It of upper part 12 except that they are somewhat narrower sothat the two parts when t-elescoped have a frictional fit therebetween.The blanks for parts I! and I2 are of predetermined 1 size for theparticular service in which they are to be used, although a moderaterange of sizes can be constructed which. will serve all of the usualneeds of food shippers. A side flap 25 is also provided to be stapled toor adhesively affixed along edge 26 when the lower part of the enclosureis completed with the fiaps being folded over. It will be noted thatflaps 24 are of double the normal length to provide added strength atthe bottom of the complete enclosure.

A fibre board or corrugated paper board blank 21 is scored at 28inrelatively precise conformity in shape and dimension to the horizontalcrosssectional area of lower part. I I. When the fiaps 29 of blank 21are folded up as shown in Figure t, a. tray or platform is made whichseparates the food containing. space in the container assembly I0: fromthe. refrigerant. carrying space or compartment. Sill. A series ofperforations 3I. extend through the bottom of the tray and prov-i-decirculation openings between the food containing and the refrigerantcontaining spaces in the. interior space IS.. The fit in lower part IIprovided by the flaps 29 of the tray make it slidable. up and, downalong the inside surfaces of lower part II in the event that forparticular journeys and the character of goods shipped, relatively lessfood containing spaceand more refrigerant containing space is desired,and, vice versa. Moreover, to the extent that there is any slight changein the volume of the goods being shipped in the container ID, thesliding tray 21 made from blank 2? permits that change in volume withoutcausing any substantial bulging of the sides of the enclosure formed byparts II and I2.

In the construction of this new container assembly IE, a pad 32 ofinsulation material, such as fibre glass or rock wool, is made to fit.the inside of part I I and is placed on the bottom thereof. A fibreboard or corrugated paper board separator 33 also having dimensions anda shape corresponding to the inside horizontal cross section of part IIrests on top of pad 32 and furnishes a base for perishable foods such asfrozen bakery goods in separate, rectangular, cardboard boxes 34. Boxes34 are stacked in regular rows to substantially fill the food containingspace in interior I3. Even though the boxes 34 are relatively tightlypacked, there is sufilcient space between and among the various boxes toprovide satisfactory ventilating passages for the circulation of thecooling gases between the food containing space and the refrigerantcarrying space 30.

Another insulating pad 34 fits the inside of lower part II and closesthe top of the tray 21. Another separator 35 similar to separator 33'fits on top of pad 34 and is preferably about flush with the top edgesof lower part I I. With lower part [I so prepared and packed, thecorresponding upper part I2 is fitted over lower part II and moveddownwardly to complete the fibre board enclosure shown in assembly III.The fit between the lower and upper parts II and I! prevents any readyaccess of gas or exterior air to space I3. At the same time, the fit isnot so tight nor the sealing so complete that gas given off by arefrigerant, such as solid carbon dioxide, cannot escape between parts II and I2 before any excessive pressure is built up within. theenclosure. Before that stage is reached, moreover, it would seem thatwhen the assembly I0 is completed, the refrigerant and also the frozenfoods first chill any warmer contained air in the package as aconsequence of the packing operation. Such chilling would seem. to tendto drop the pressure within the container assembly II] at least untilgas given off by the refrigerant commenced to counteract any suchtendency.

The assembly III is completed by corner pieces 3% and baling straps ortapes 3T. Corner pieces 3e are in the shape of angles preferably made ofmetal and punchedor perforated at 38 on both flanges. The perforations38 are preferably made so that the metal 39. surrounding theperforationsis relatively jagged and sharp forming inwardly gripping or clinchingspikes which bite into the corners of the complete enclosure when thepieces 35 are placed in the positions that are shown in Figure 1.Moreover, the corner pieces alongv the bottom edges of assembly It holdthe lowermost edges of upper part I2 in clinched engagement to thebottom of lower part II, thereby assisting in the sealing of thetelescoping parts. The tapes 31 which are usually of steel may beapplied by a conventional baling tape machine and are placed around theassembly I0 so that they rest on corner pieces 36 where the tapes 31bend around each corner of the enclosure formed by parts I I and I2. Inthis way, the corner pieces 36 are further driven into clinchedengagement with the parts II. and I2 and there held by the respectivetapes 3! which cannot cliafe the fibre board parts of container assemblyIii nor permit assembly It to' be opened en route with the consequentimpairment of the refrigerating provision. If desired, gummed adhesivestrips 20 and 41 may be usedv around the edges of the box and to seal.the edges: at the joints of the flaps to further increase the sealingcharacteristic of the container of this invention. On the other hand,for relatively local fpermit the escape of gas sublimated from theshipments strips 40 and 4| may be used in place of tapes 31and cornerpieces 36. However, if

strips 4| are used, a gap 42 may be provided to refrigerant during thetrip.

By means of this invention it has also been discovered that the factorsof weight of refrigerant, temperature at which the goods are to latedwith the individual insulation of the refrigerant, which is preferablysolid carbon dioxide, commonly called dry ice, to obtain determinableregulation of temperature without U either excessive refrigeration andwastage of refrigerant or failure of refrigeration and preservation.Thus, for example, in the shipment of blueberry mufi'ins in 8-ouncepackages in a container of'this invention capable of holding 144 suchpackages, the following regulation may be obtained:

Arrival Temperature, Degrees Sheets of Newsprint Insulation Pounds ofRefrigerant Shipment Period, Hours (Dry Ice) About .1. About 2. About 3.About3. About 4. About; 4. About 5. About 6. About 8.

These figures are based on an ambient tempera-' ture of about 70 F. anda product temperature of 0 F. at the time of packing in a container ofthis invention having the approximate dimensions of x 22 /2" x 23 /2".The newsprint used is'standard newsprint individually wrapped aboutunits of the refrigerant which should prefconstruction, purpose andfunction are correspondingly numbered with the addition of being primed.Moreover, container It! is provided with an additional tray 21' formingan additional refrigerant containing compartment at the bottom of thefood containing space. In most, if not all cases, this lower tray andthe refrigerant it is adapted to accommodate may be omitted. Further,the food packed in the food containing space of assembly I0 is containedin cardboard cylinders 43 rather than in boxes such as boxes 34. Forexport or other arduous transportation journeys container assembly I 0'has been provided with continuous corner strips 44 extending between andbeyond the respective binding tapes 31. In other respects and in theirfunction the corner strips 44 correspond to the corner pieces 36. Awooden pallet 45 is also provided for such export or arduoustransportation usage and is more fully illustrated in Figures 12 and 13.This pallet conforms in its dimensions to the horizontal dimensions ofassembly I0 and is supportably held thereto by the binding tapes 31. Inthis way, an extraordinarily strong container is obtained using be kept,length of the trip to be undertaken, and K outside or ambienttemperature may be corre- 6 generally inexpensive effectivelyfunctioning materials.

Various modifications may be made in the practices and constructionsillustrated in the foregoing description without departing from thespirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A refrigerating shipping container for frozen foods, comprising incombination, upper and lower parts forming a complete enclosure, saidparts being in telescoping relation and generally equal in height, thecentral inside portion of which defines a food containing zone, arefrigerant holding tray frictionally fitting the inner of said partsand slidably mounted therein so as to be movable to bound said foodcontaining zone, said tray supporting a refrigerant containingcompartment and being perforated to facilitate circulation of theatmosphere within said enclosure through said zone and said compartment,means for insulating the top and bottom of said enclosure outwardly ofsaid zone and tray, said means substantially filling the space remainingin said enclosure, sealing strips substantially covering the exposededges of said parts of said enclosure, said sealing strips beingdiscontinuous to permit escape of gas, whereby an inexpensive,lightweight package is obtained for the effective shipment andrefrigeration of frozen foods.

2. A refrigerating fibre shipping container for frozen foods, comprisingin combination, upper and lower parts adapted to be telescoped to form acomplete enclosure, said parts being generally equal in height, thecentral inside portion of which from side to side of the inner of saidparts defines a food containing zone, a fibre tray fitting the inner ofsaid parts and frictionally gripping the same so as to be slidabletherein, said tray being perforated and defining a refrigerantcontaining compartment on the side thereof away from said zone, saidperforations being adapted to facilitate circulation of the atmospherewithin said enclosure through said zone and within said compartment, apad of insulation fitting said inner part and the side of saidcompartment away from said zone, a further pad of insulation on theopposite side of said zone away from said compartment, a relativelystiff fibrous member between said further pad of insulation and saidzone, sealing strips substantially covering the exposed edges of saidparts of said enclosure, corner members for gripping the edges of saidenclosure, and at least one binding strap encircling the periphery ofsaid enclosure and said corner members, said binding strap defining aplane parallel to the direction of movement of said parts in formingsaid enclosure, whereby a strong package is obtained for the eifectiveshipment and refrigeration of frozen foods.

3. A refrigerating fibre shipping container for frozen foods, comprisingin combination, upper and lower fitted parts adapted. to be telescopedto form a complete enclosure, said parts being generally equal inheight, the central inside portion of which enclosure defines from sideto side thereof a food containing zone, a pair of fibre trays fittingthe inner of said parts and frictionally gripping the same so as to beslidable therein, said trays being perforated and adapted to bound theupper and lower surfaces of said food containing zone and generallydefining a refrigerant containing compartment on each side of said zone,said perforations being adapted to facilitate circulation of theatmosphere within said enclosure through said zone, a pad of insulationfitting said inner part and said compartments and adapted to close saidcompartments, corner members in the form oi metal angles extending alongthe binding edges of said enclosures, said metal angles having theflanges thereof inwardly punched to enable said metal angles to bepushed into gripping engagement with said enclosure,

' said metal angles further being on opposite corners of said enclosure,and at least one steel binding tape encircling the periphery of saidenclosure and pressing against said respective metal angles, whereby astrong package is obtained Without crushing for the effective shipmentand refrigeration of frozen foods.

t. A refrigerating shipping container for frozen foods, comprising incombination, upper and lower parts forming a complete enclosure, saidparts being in telescoping relation and generally equal in height, thecentral inside portion of which defines a food containing zone, arefrigerant holding tray frictionally fitting the inner of means forinsulating the top and bottom of said enclosure outwardly of said zoneand tray, said means substantially filling the space remaining in saidenclosure, corner members for piercing and gripping said upper and lowerparts at those exposed edges where said parts are so exposed, and meansfor holding said corner members in place, whereby an inexpensive,lightweight package is obtained for the effective shipment andrefrigeration of frozen foods.

5. A refrigerating shipping container for frozen foods, comprising incombination, upper and lower parts forminga complete enclosure, saidparts being in telescoping relation and generally equal in height, thecentral inside portion of which defines a food-containing zone, at leastone refrigerant holding tray frictionally fitting the interior of saidparts and slidably mounted therein so as to be movable to bound one ofthe top and bottom sides of said food-containing zone, said traycomprising a refrigerant-containing compartment on the side away fromsaid food-containing zone, said tray further being perforated tofacilitate circulation of the atmosphere within said enclosure throughsaid zone and said compartment, and means for insulating the top andbottom of said enclosure outwardly of said zone and tray, said meanssubstantially filling the space remaining in said enclosure, whereby arelatively inexpensive lightweight package is obtained for the effectiveshipment and refrigeration of frozen foods.

DAVID L. FEIGENBAUM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,707,836 Wright Apr. 2, 19291,843,038 McIlvain Jan. 26, 1932 1,865,688 Hannaford July 5, 19321,935,923 Thoke Nov, 21, 1933 2,108,600 King Feb. 15, 1938 2,108,608King Feb. 15, 1938 2,210,946 Moore Aug. 13, 1940 2,278,782 Harvey Apr.7, 1942 2,382,859 Clerk Aug. 14, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number CountryDate 281,479 Italy Jan. 14, 1931

